1 franc - Léopold II KONING DER BELGEN - 1886

The coin's story

This silver 1 franc coin, struck in 1886 and 1887, is the Dutch version of the franc of the Wiener type, under the reign of Leopold II, King of the Belgians from 1865 to 1909. Its fineness of 835 thousandths follows the rules of the Latin Monetary Union, concluded in 1865 with France, Italy and Switzerland for the smaller silver denominations. The portrait is the work of Léopold Wiener (1823-1891), chief engraver of the Brussels Mint for more than forty years, who signs L.WIENER. The reverse shows the crowned shield with the Belgian lion, set on a crossed sceptre and hand of justice, surrounded by the collar of the Order of Leopold, with the motto EENDRACHT MAAKT MACHT (Unity makes strength). The 1886 date was struck in 1,026,000 pieces. The coin was demonetised on 30 July 1932.